DMV: take off the make-up! - KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2

S.C. — (WYFF) A South Carolina teen wants to retake his driver’s license picture after he says the employees at the Anderson Department of Motor Vehicle made him take off his make-up for the picture.

Chase Culpepper, 16, wears make-up and girl’s clothing every day. He considers himself gender non-conforming.

Culpepper says he had already passed his test when he was told he could not have his picture taken while wearing make-up because he did not look the way a boy should.

“They said he was wearing a disguise,” said Teresa Culpepper, his mother. “It was very hurtful. He was absolutely devastated. That’s who he is 24/7,” said Culpepper.

Beth Parks with DMV said the employees at the Anderson DMV followed policy. She said in Aug. of 2009 the policy was updated to say, “At no time will an applicant be photographed when it appears that he or she is purposely altering his or her appearance so that the photo would misrepresent his or her identity.”

Culpepper said he ultimately removed his make-up so he could get his picture taken. (Picture below: Chase once he removed make-up).

The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund is calling upon the SCDMV to allow Culpepper to retake his picture.